Family Holiday (day 13)

Today’s highlight was Taj Mahal. It was a long drive out and back (we hired a driver and tour guide) but we all agreed it was worth it. After seeing the monument, the guide took us to a jeweler who showed us some beautiful stones only found in India (we didn’t buy anything). Then we went to an artisan shop where they show how they did the jewel inlays in the marble at Taj Mahal. They still do this the same way they did back then. We did make a purchase and since shipping is subsidized by the government to promote the sale of the handicraft, we don’t have to worry about fitting it in the suit cases. We stopped for lunch at a local Indian restaurant with a snake charmer who charmed us as well. Finally before heading back, we stopped at a rug knotting handicraft shop. Most rugs are made in homes and brought in to be finished, but they did have a few looms set up and in use so we could see the whole process. Again we made a purchase, and again shipping was subsidized.